19 ASCAP Hitmakers Nominated for 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame

The Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced the nominees for its 2026 class, and 19 ASCAP songwriters are on the ballot! This bumper crop of hitmakers has written beloved songs that span the genre spectrum, from pop smashes to hip-hop classics, pump-your-fists rock anthems to country tearjerkers.

See below for the ASCAP songwriting legends we’re crossing our fingers for, and a selection of their biggest hits. The induction ceremony takes place on June 11, 2026.

If you’re a voting member of the Song Hall, your ballot is now in your inbox. You have until 12:01 AM ET on December 5, 2025 to notch your vote.

NON-PERFORMING SONGWRITERS

Walter Afanasieff - All I Want For Christmas Is You * My All * Hero * Love Will Survive * One Sweet Day

Terry Britten - What’s Love Got To Do With It * We Don’t Need Another Hero * Typical Male * Devil Woman * I Should Have Known Better 

Andreas Carlsson - I Want It That Way * Bye Bye Bye * It's Gonna Be Me * That's The Way It Is * Waking Up In Vegas

Steve Kipner - Physical * Hard Habit To Break * Genie In A Bottle * These Words * Breakeven

Patrick Leonard - Like A Prayer * Live To Tell * Nevermind * You Want It Darker * Yet Another Movie

Bob McDill - Everything That Glitters Is Not Gold * Good Ole Boys Like Me * Gone Country * Don't Close Your Eyes * Song Of The South

Martin Page - We Built This City * These Dreams * King Of Wishful Thinking * Faithful * Fallen Angel

Christopher “Tricky” Stewart - Umbrella * Single Ladies * Obsessed * Just Fine * Break My Soul 

Larry Weiss - Rhinestone Cowboy * Bend Me Shape Me * Hi Ho Silver Lining * Your Baby Doesn't Love You Anymore * Darling Take Me Back  

PERFORMING SONGWRITERS

Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of America - A Horse with No Name * Ventura Highway * Sister Golden Hair * I Need You* Tin Man

Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine and Jane M. Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s - We Got The Beat * Our Lips Are Sealed * Vacation * Head Over Heels * This Town

Richard Carpenter - Goodbye To Love * Top Of The World * Yesterday Once More * Only Yesterday * Merry Christmas Darling

Kenny Loggins - Danny’s Song * Footloose * Celebrate Me Home * Return to Pooh Corner * What A Fool Believes

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS - Rock and Roll All Nite * I Love It Loud * Calling Dr. Love * Shout It Out Loud * Christine 16

James Todd Smith p/k/a LL COOL J - Mama Said Knock You Out * I Need Love * Around The Way Girl * Going Back To Cali * Illegal Search

See the full list of nominees at SongHall.org.